Nicky's World

Having a Great Summer - 33 Months Old

2009-08-13T10:23:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! Since I last talked to you, I've been enjoying my summer playing outside as much as possible. I've been playing and watching baseball with my daddy, and splashing in my little pool in the water whenever its warm enough. Unfortunately, this summer hasn't been that hot, but on the sunny days, you can bet I'll be wading in my pool or at the park with my friends.

Other than the usual, my family went on another mini-vacay here at the end of July to Cragun's resort near Brainerd, MN. Once again, Daddy had a meeting there so we made some fun out of it:) I LOVED the lake. I think I'm like Mommy and could live at the lake. I made sandcastles and much as I could, walked in the cold, cold water a few times, checked out the boats and fishermen, enjoyed the bonfires, and played to my heart's content. Unfortunately, it was just too cold to make renting a boat worth it. Boy do I want to go on a boat some day. Mommy says its not right to go to the lake and not go boating;) Maybe we'll have to go back to that resort again and rent a cabin next time and go boating. It was a really cool place!

32 Months Slideshow

2009-07-09T10:05:00.001-06:00

What a busy month! To start off, there was an Art festival here in Grand Forks that we all went to. I liked the bouncy houses the best;) Then, we all headed off to Minneapolis for a bit of a vacation. Daddy had a conference in St. Paul, so Mommy and I hung out at the hotel. One day we went to the Children's Museum there and had a blast! I got to paint my own face, meet Clifford the Big Red Dog, play lots of pretend, splash in the water, and do lots of other stuff! Wish we had a children's museum like that here.

From St. Paul we drove on down our old home, Kansas City, for a visit. We stayed with my friend Lexi! I've missed her so we had lots of fun together. Lexi's parents hosted a BBQ so we could visit and catch up with all our old KC friends. Lexi and I also went to Deanna Rose Farmstead together and swam in her neighborhood swimming pool. Deanna Rose was fun but it was also really hot outside so I had the most fun playing in the water play area. I even made a new little friend who joined me in my splashing:) We also went to a Royals baseball game and down to the Plaza to see my beloved fountains. While at the ballpark, we got to see the new renovations they've done to Kaufman field. We went out behind the outfield and I got to bat at the Little K field. I did really well with my hitting but didn't quite grasp the running the bases thing at the end so Mommy ran with me. I also got to ride the Merry-Go-Round and play on the playground equipment there, but we didn't have time to do mini-golf before the game started:( While heading back to our seats, we walked underneath the fountains right above the bullpen. It was LOUD and I screamed bloody murder. I still don't like loud noises, especially that loud. Anyway, back at our seats, we got tot watch the game with our friends Megan, Jarad, and Averie. Averie sure is getting big!

After we got home from KC, it was time for the Fourth of July. My Aunt Becky, Uncle Byron, and cousin Abi came to our house to visit. We shopped and hung out and ate, but we missed the fireworks because everyone pooped out too early. Ah well.

Until next time!

Welcome Baby Damien!

2009-06-14T19:12:00.000-06:00

I have a new cousin! Woohoo! And its a boy:) Can't wait til we're old enough to play together!

Damien Francis Laub was born today at 1:16 in the morning weighing 7lbs. 12oz. and measuring 20 inches long! Welcome Damien! And congratulations to my Aunt Anna and Uncle Daren!

What a cutey pie!

31 Months Old

2009-06-09T10:19:00.001-06:00

Here's a slide show from the past month. Enjoy!

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Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday Mama!

2009-05-17T19:17:00.000-06:00

My mommy had a great birthday on Thursday. Well, at least I had lots of fun;) First, I had better mention that she had a good Mother's Day on Sunday as well. Daddy and I took her out to eat at Paradiso where she enjoyed a margarita, and we gifted her a Wii and Wii Fit which we've all already played tons. So much fun!

Anyway, back to the birthday. So, my grandparents and my Uncle Dusty came up to GF to help us celebrate Mama's birthday. We all went out for Italian food and then Grandma and Grandpa watched me while Mommy and Daddy went to the movies. Good times!

Then, on Friday, the grandparents, parents and I took off for Minneapolis for my cousin Jill Zentner's (now Davis) wedding. I had fun in the big pool at the hotel with mommy and the wedding was fun, too! I didn't make it through the ceremony as it was prime naptime so I was tired and kept talking and moving around to keep myself awake. So, Mommy took me into the lobby and I layed down on a couch and took my nap:) All was good after that. At the dance, I got my boogy on with my Great Aunt Bev and the wedding party. It was so much fun. That is, after I got used to the really loud music. I don't like loud noises, but I got used to it after a while. I even got me a glow necklace so I could rave. I didn't want Mommy to dance with me (she's lame) because I wanted to dance with everyone else by myself.

So, it was a great week. Here's some more pics for you all.

From 30 to 31 Months

Mommy's birthday cake from Cold Stone Creamery. Yummy!

From 30 to 31 Months

Me and Mommy in the pool at the hotel

From 30 to 31 Months

The lovely couple at the ceremony

From 30 to 31 Months

Me in my monkey suit

From 30 to 31 Months

Me and mama at the wedding

From 30 to 31 Months

Blow out the candle Daddy!

From 30 to 31 Months

My family at the wedding

From 30 to 31 Months

Me and my grandparents

From 30 to 31 Months

Dancing with Aunt Bev.

From 30 to 31 Months

Getting my groove on.

From 30 to 31 Months

Uncle David is a funny but wonderful dancer!

From 30 to 31 Months

I liked the glow sticks

Two and half years old!

2009-05-09T19:52:00.003-06:00

Yes, I am 30 months old now! Wow!

More info coming soon. We are getting way behind on this blog O_o

Happy Birthday Daddy

2009-04-13T08:01:00.002-06:00

Happy birthday to my favorite person in the world! Thanks for listening to music with me, playing ball with me, being my ride-on horsie, laughing at the silly things I say, reading to me, and loving me all the time. You are the best!

Love,

Nicky

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T18:50:00.002-06:00

Dude this has been the best Easter yet! Yes, yes, I know I've only experienced 3 so far in my life. But still, this one was great! Baking with Mama. An Easter egg hunt at the Alerus Center with hundreds of eggs plus facepainting, moonbounces, and a firetruck, and now Easter day with a great Easter egg hunt at home plus an Easter basket filled with goodies! I totally made out. I got a bit of candy, some stickers, plastic animals, a yellow stuffed ducky, a Spiderman baseball hat, some books, a mini flower pot to plant daisies in, and even a Pez dispenser. Score! Mommy took a rare time off from cooking the holiday meal so we all went to the bufet at the Blue Moose instead. Yum!

I got a Bearnstain Bears book recently about how Easter is not all about candy (or toys) or even food, though. Mommy and I have been readin about how in Christianity, it is about Jesus's death and resurrection, and in pagan traditions, it is about spring and new life.

Hope you had a blessed and joyfilled Easter as well!

Here's a few photos and videos of my Easter. Enjoy!

From 29 to 30 Months

Had my face painted!

From 29 to 30 Months

Checking out the eggs before the hunt.

From 29 to 30 Months

That hunt was competitive!

From 29 to 30 Months

Me and my Easter basket.

From 29 to 30 Months

Click on the image for a video of me before the big hunt.

From 29 to 30 Months

Click on the image for a video of me after the big hunt:)

From 29 to 30 Months

Click on the image for a video of me hunting for eggs at home on Easter morning.

29 Months Old!

2009-04-09T15:58:00.003-06:00

What's been up with me, you ask? Well, last month I got my second 2 year molar in, and this month I'm getting the last 2 in. So, I've been busy teething and now have a complete mouth of teeth. I haven't been too grouchy considering all that's been going on in my mouth. Two molars should not come in at the same time, I say! But then again, at least that's all over with. Mom says all my teeth will fall out in about 5 years. WHAT?!!! I'm not gonna think about that.

In other news, just when we thought spring was coming because the snow was melting, we get another snow storm. Ah well. I kinda like the white stuff. Mom says we can go outside more once it gets warmer. I can't wait!! I love the outdoors! And I'm looking forward to trying out my rainboots.

Mom and Dad and everyone, it seems, keep talking about the flooding and the river. Guess its a big deal, though our dike system should keep us safe, they say. Daddy sure is busy taking care of the town and giving interviews. I like seeing him on TV!

Hmm, what else? I continue to love going to Storytime at the library, hanging out with my friends Kael and Asa, and visiting all my relatives. I absolutely LOVE my grandparents. All they do is play with me. Its the best! My Grandma and Grandpa Huizenga came to visit not long ago and they bought my Great-Grandma and Grandpa Deibert with, too! They also brought my beloved Christmas pony from Glenburn. Now I can ride it every day.

Oh, and Easter is coming up so Mommy and made Easter cookies for this weekend and froze them. That was fun! I love cooking with Mommy. She even let me have my own little rolling pin and a little dough. We also made an Easter Bunny House, sorta like a gingerbread house, from a kit from Target. Mommy had fun, but all I wanted to do was eat the icing and candy, not help. That annoyed Mama. Sorry!

Anyway, lots of excitement coming up here including Daddy's Birthday and another visit from the Easter bunny! Catch you again next month!

Happy Birthday Grandma Kathy!!

2009-04-04T10:31:00.009-06:00

Molar #2, Symbols, and "Exactly"

2009-03-31T13:22:00.003-06:00

Just a few random things I've been doing lately:

Teething my 2nd 2-year molar. That explains why I caught a cold, but I'm not feeling too bad. Two down, 2 to go. Then I'll have my complete set of milk teeth:)
Symbols - I LOVE them. I like identifying them, and since I like tv commercials way too much, I've picked up a few new ones lately. I know the symbols for Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, NBC, FOX, Magor League Baseball, Sioux hockey, and lots of others.
My favorite words and phrases as of late are "million dollars" (maybe because I like gameshows?), twenty! (its a big number in my mind), tilla (tortilla), Oh Buddy! (my parents say this to me all the time so I've picked it up in its various intonations), Because, and my most recent addition has been "Exactly." That one cracked Mama up.

Just thought I'd share. Hope your spring is warmer than ours has been. I want to go outside!!! And I also hope Uncle Dusty and everyone in Fargo stays dry. Peace out!

Nicky the Pirate

2009-03-21T19:35:00.001-06:00

Showing Off My Pipes

2009-03-21T19:06:00.000-06:00

Batter Up!

2009-03-21T18:56:00.001-06:00

28 Month Update

2009-03-21T16:03:00.002-06:00

I turned 28 months old back on the 9th, but we've been busy the last few weeks so not enough computer time to get this post done. But, hopefully devoting some time on this lazy Saturday will get it done! Anyways, I've just been doing what I do this past month. That means playing, learning, creating, eating, sleeping, you get the idea. As you know, I love reading and I love creating art, so Storytime at the EGF Library has been quite enjoyable for me and Mama. We try to go every week and have been pretty successful at doing so for the last 2 months. The lady who reads the stories is so animated, involves us kids in the story, is super patient and nice, and comes up with great art projects for us to do afterward that are related to the story we just read. I love it!! I like to show off my art projects and play with them. Check out my slide show and you'll see what I'm talking about.

My obsession with sports has reached a new high. Everything is either baseball or hockey to me. I find it everywhere! I notice team decals and symbols where ever I go. Can you blame me? They are some fun sports! And I love playing them, too! I use my plastic golf club and my nerf foam baseball bat interchangeably as a bat and a hockey stick. Sometimes I just hit the ball around myself, but I love to have people actually pitch to me. And let me tell you, I can HIT it! I make contact more often than not! Its quite something to see. I also have quite the arm. Mommy had no idea I had such good coordination! I also get many laughs when I wag my bat:) I scream, "Hit!," or "Home Run!" or "Twenty!" when I make contact with the ball (twenty is a very large number in my mind so it means it was a BIG hit).

I'm so happy the weather is getting warmer! It means that Mommy or Daddy sometimes put my rain boots on me and take me for walks around the block and through all the puddles. I just love being outside. I do love eating snow, but I don't like getting stuck in the drifts, though. Scary! But those have been melting away the last week or so. Spring is on its way! Yipee! Mommy tells me that we'll go for stroller rides and walks down by the river after the spring flooding is all over. She also tells me that we will go to the pool and maybe do some camping this summer! Did I mention I love the outdoors?! I just can't wait for all this. Mommy says it will be nice to use our screened-in outdoor room off the back garage once it gets warm, too. Here's to sunny days.

I keep hearing from people that I'm getting so skinny and tall. But check this out: I'm 30 pounds and 36.5 inches tall. Mama looked it up and according to the WHO baby charts, I am in the 70th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height and my height to weight ratio is perfectly average, so while I'm a little on the tall side, I am not skinny;) People seem to forget who babies go from being chubby as infants to starting to look with long, lean, proportional little people in their toddler years. Quite the transformation, yes, but perfectly normal.

My other development over the past few months is that I went from being a co-sleeping kiddo to sleeping in my own big-boy bed in my own room most nights (Mommy's still there for me if I need her). I usually can sleep from 9 or 10 until 6 in the morning when I go and hop in Mommy and Daddy's bed with them. Good morning Parents! Mommy's so proud of me. I still prefer to snuggle and sleep close to someone when I'm sick or feeling off, but now I know I can do it on my own, too.

Oh, forgot to tell you guys last month that I got my first 2 year molar. Ouch! But no big whoop. One down, three more to go. Then I'll be done with getting my milk teeth.

No more developments on the potty learning front. I am not interested!! I seem to be a little scared or put off by the big potty. NO!!!! Is what I say when asked if I want to sit on that thing. No way. I do announce quite often that I'm going poop, have to go poop, or just went, but I am quite happy with using my diapers right now. Mommy bought some pull-up type ones both for better fit and to encourage me with the potty learning, but that hasn't done much. Next up, a little potty of my own, but no expectations.

I've been making some great friends lately and going to playgroups and some meetings with Mom. There is a group of moms that meet every week or two at mall playland, a fastfood playland, or someone's house. We're working on making it a regular weekly thing now:) Mom also taking me to MOPS meetings every other week. We've gone twice now. I like playing with the other kiddos in the nursery and Mama gets to know some other moms and listen to neat speakers. I also go with Mom to the breastfeeding support group once a month (and play with the other kiddos there, too), API parenting group once a month (same deal), and when Mom goes to LLL group in Fargo once a month, I either hang with Daddy or get to play with my Uncle Dusty at his place while Mom is at the meeting. So much fun! Mommy's also looking into swimming lessons for the two of us or maybe a music class. Good stuff!

Well, guess that's enough news for now. Its March Madness time so I have lots of basketball to watch with my parents. Our hockey team, the UND Fighting Sioux, lost not only in regional tourney first round game, but they just lost the 3rd place game today so we are really sad about that:( Hopefully they do better in the national tourney!

Oh, my grandparents (the Huizengas) and my great grandparents (the Feists) came up for a visit on Thursday, but I guess I should save those details and pics for my 29 month post since technically they don't belong in this one. Confusing! But that's what happens when I'm late with my posts (hint, hint, Mom!). Anyway, the important thing is that I got my Xmas pony back (they hauled it up for me from Glenburn since we couldn't fit it in our car at Xmas), and I absolutely adore my Grandpa. He is the best! I had fun!

Also, I just went to my second hockey game to watch my second cousin, Jarad Zittleman, play in a tourney at the Ralph arena. At first I was overwhelmed by the sounds and lights (I HATE loud noises, they freak me out!) but by the second period, I got used to it. It was neat to see elementary aged kiddos playing really skillful hockey. After the game, we went to Susanne, Rich, Brady, Jarad and Jackson's hotel room to hang out and watch the end of the (dreadful) Sioux game. I showed off my hockey skills by playing with Jarad and Jackson's mini hockey sticks and using a pop bottle cap as my puck. Cousin Rich is excited that there's another kid in the family interested in hockey.

If Mom could ever catch me on video, I'd show you my singing skills. I love to sing along with the rock songs me and Daddy listen to or really any other song I know. My favorite is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, though. I love my "mu-kac."

Peace out, everyone. Here's hoping that we all stay dry and have a happy Spring!

FOX and Geico

2009-02-18T21:01:00.003-06:00

I can read the words "Fox" and "Geico" as in the television station and the insurance company. Yeh, Mommy and Daddy are definitely putting limits on my TV now.

27 Months Old!

2009-02-13T16:53:00.002-06:00

I turned 27 months old on the 9th:) I just keep growing and learning. So what have I been doing this month, specifically you ask? Well, I have my alphabet down as you've seen in the video I posted in the last entry. I also have my shapes and number up to 10 down and I'm working on the teens now. I have a pretty good grasp of colors and get blue, red, yellow, green and purple right most of the time. Now I'm working on black, brown, white, gray, and pink.

I am obsessed with baseball! Well, all sports, but especially baseball! I have taken a new interest in my baseball-themed room ever since Mom finally put up all my baseball decorative items. (They're the same ones from my room in KC, she tells me, put I don't remember them so they're cool and exciting to me!) I know the baseball terms including strike, hit, helmet, bat, ball, glove, grounder, out, safe, slide, home run, and others.

I have taken (way too much) of a liking to some of the television shows on the Sprout station (PBS station for preschoolers and toddlers) and will watch as much as Mom and Dad let me. My favorites are Caillou, Sesame Street, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, and Rory the Racecar. Sometimes Mommy makes me sad by declaring it TV-free day or turning off the TV when I want to watch more:( But, we have started to get out and about more, so I don't miss it we're on the go. Mommy is also not too excited that I have started to identify all the characters in these shows and talk about them often or point them out if I see them. I love, love, love Caillou (he's a 4 year old boy who stars in a cartoon about himself, for those of you who don't know) and Cookie Monster! They are my favorites. I now call all race cars Rory after Rory the racecar. I know the Thomas trains' names better than Mommy does.

I have also taken a big interest in art. I love to color with crayons and finger paints and watercolor paints and markers. I don't understand why it can't be art time ALL THE TIME! Hmm, what else...? I am quite the loud, boisterous little boy. I will to SHOUT and SQUEAL! I like to run around in circles and spin to get my energy out. My favorite time is when Daddy gives me horsie rides on his back or Mommy gives me airplane rides on her legs/feet. I also like to jump and tumble. Mommy really needs to get me a mini trampoline already! Recently I have taken to climbing on our leather rocker/recliner and diving onto the couch next to it. Mommy keeps telling me to be careful and says I'm gonna end up with stitches again soon.

Oh yeah! Forgot to tell ya! I was climbing on the cupboards in the kitchen a few weeks ago and slipped and landed belly then chin first on the ceramic tile floor! Ouch! I got quite a deep cut and it hurt so bad! I screamed for quite awhile while Mommy held a towel on it to get the bleeding to stop. Luckily it didn't take long. Then Mommy and Daddy and I headed to the emergency room (my first time there). They put some numbing gel on the cut for about 20 minutes and then the doc came in to stitch me up. Everyone kept going on and on about how hard it was gonna be and how I probably would freak out when they tried to hold me still. But I didn't! One nurse held my head still, the doc put towels on my face around the cut, and Mom held my hands and told me exactly what was going on, play by play style. I held so still and was so brave! I stayed very quiet and only asked for Mommy and Daddy once since those towels made it hard to see! Once Mommy reassured me that they were both still there, I settled right away. Everyone kept going on and on about how well I did, how brave I was, and how amazed they were. Mommy kept thanking me for holding still and staying calm. I don't know what the big deal was, I mean, yes, it was scary and weird, but I had my parents there, everyone was staying calm, and as long as I knew what was going on, I wasn't too worried. So, I ended up with 5 stitches. Five days later I went to my family doctor and she took them out. She was amazed at how well I held still, too. And let me tell you, getting them out was even harder because the stitches were stuck in the scabs and I didn't have numbing medicine this time! But the doc stopped and took a little break every time I said ouch and I resettled and pretty soon we were done! I got a bunch of stickers and coloring book out of the mess so that was nice! Now I have an inch and half scar on my chin, but Mommy is rubbing it with Vit. E and Mederma, so hopefully it will fade over time. Mommy says, please, no more trips to the ER!

Hmmm, so back to talking about playing! I like going down to my playroom/rec room downstairs so I can play with my trains, play my piano keyboard, cook on my play kitchen, or bounce on the exercise ball! I also have a stash of smaller toys in my closet and some in the living room. If I'm not playing with my cars or my many balls, I'm reading. My favorite books right now are The Roar of a Snore; Moo, Ba, La, La, La; The Very Lonely Firefly; and Dogs (a Dr. Seuss book). I have many of my books memorized and I can shout out parts of the books as Mommy or Daddy reads them.

If I'm not reading, I'm usually listening to music with Daddy. I love music! I memorize the words to my favorite songs (like Hiroshima by Ben Folds, You Don't Know me by Ben Folds, and So Happy by Theory of a Deadman as well as the classic, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) and sing along with them when Daddy plays them on the computer. Daddy also showed me how to drum, and I am quite the headbanger!! Music is the best!

Enjoy the yet another monthly slideshow:

I Know My ABC's!

2009-01-30T09:19:00.001-06:00

Here's a video of me and Mommy reading my Thomas's ABC Book.

Riding my Christmas Pony

2009-01-27T17:44:00.003-06:00

26 Months Old

2009-01-27T17:30:00.003-06:00

I turned 26 months old on January 9th, but Mommy and I were still hanging out in Regent then, so she nearly forgot to get my pics for the month uploaded. Anyway, this month I learned my entire alphabet, I can count to 10, I know my shapes pretty well, and I am working on my colors. I LOVE sports including baseball, hockey, football, and basketball and can say many phrases from each of them, and I LOVE transportation like trucks, trains, cars, boats, etc. I am very good at somersaults and I like to run around in circles or spin in circles sometimes. I also love to jump and bounce on the exercise ball (just like I did when I was a baby!). I am quite the memorizing machine and have a bunch of my books memorized. My favorite books right now are Thomas the Train Engine's ABC's, The Very Lonely Firefly, Baby's First 100 Words, Bambi, and We Help Daddy. Reading is the best! I also love music! Daddy taught me to drum along to the beat of the music (I have rhythm!), and I love to sing, too. My favorite song is Hiroshima by Ben Folds (I call it Oh, oh, oh, oh! because that is in the refrain and its my favorite part to sing). I also play piano on Daddy's old electric keyboard. Oh, I also had my 2 year check-up and I am 35.5 inches tall and weigh 29 pounds which are both around the 75 percentile! Looks like my typical picky toddler eating its hurting me. I am still mostly vegetarian (or should I say fruititarian since fruit is my biggest love), but I do like sausage and bacon and occasionally chicken or hamburger. It is hit or miss. Luckily, I do like nuts, seeds, and dairy so I get my protein. Anyway, that's it for me! I'll be 27 months old in just 2 weeks so you will hear from me soon:)

My 2 year portraits

2009-01-27T17:23:00.002-06:00

Here are my portraits from early December. Aren't I handsome?!

My Christmas 2008

2009-01-27T17:08:00.003-06:00

This year we were home in EGF for Xmas Eve, then went to Grandma and Grandpa Huizenga's in Glenburn on Xmas day, and finally to Grandma and Grandpa Laub's the Sunday after Christmas. We were busy! I really enjoyed the holidays this year. I became obsessed with talking about Santa, although I got scared when I actually got to meet him. I even followed Santa's travels on Google Earth with Daddy on Christmas Eve. I really enjoyed our Christmas tree and kept telling Mommy to turn on the "pretties" meaning turn on the Christmas tree lights:)

Though I don't need for much including toys, I did get some for gifts this Christmas. Some of my spoils include: a wood play kitchen, a play mixer and cookie baking set, a play pizza, a play sandwhich, a wood firetruck, an ambulence, a Thomas train, clothes, books, and a singing pony on springs.

Mommy also told me the story of Saint Nicholas, who has the same name as me:), and his role in Christmas. We talked about the giving spirit of Christmas and how it is important to be generous. I even made my own donation in the Salvation Arm plate at the mall.

I hope you all had a great Christmas, too, and are enjoying 2009!

25 Months Old

2008-12-23T18:20:00.001-06:00

Some Birthday Movies

2008-12-23T17:22:00.009-06:00

Here are some movie clips from my birthday celebrations last month:

Santa! Ho Ho Ho!

2008-12-10T14:01:00.005-06:00

Last Thursday I went to visit Santa at the library. Beforehand, mommy and daddy told me about him and I kept saying "Santa" and "ho ho" all day. But when it came time to go sit on his lap, I got really scared! Come on, some strange man in a red suit with a long beard who wants me to sit on his lap- tell me that's not weird?! Anyway, I didn't want to sit on his lap right away so he gave me my goody bag and we went and did art projects in the story room and walked around the library for a little while. Then mommy gently took me back to try again. I still didn't want to go up to him by myself so mommy went with me. This time I didn't run away but I still wasn't too excited about it. I didn't know what to tell him when he asked what I wanted for Christmas. All I could think of was "truck." Daddy captured some pictures of the event which we'll post later and so did the local newspaper. One of them even made it into the paper. The links to those pictures from the paper are below. Mommy didn't include the links to the pics where I protested sitting on his lap. No need to relive that! Anyway, despite the minor trauma, I am still talking about Santa lots:)

Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5

Poopy in the Potty!

2008-12-10T13:53:00.003-06:00

Last night I went poop in the potty for the first time! Yay!

Mommy has been slowly introducing me to the concept of the toilet and encouraging me to use it if I want to, but she isn't forcing me to. Before yesterday, I'd sat on the toilet many times with my little toilet seat insert, but I was kinda scared to actually do anything.

Then, last night while we were washing up to go to bed, I told mommy, "Potty," and pulled down my pants. Mom asked if I wanted to sit on the potty and I said yes, so she helped me do so. I like a little privacy so Mom went back to washing her face while I did my business. It sure sounded like I was doing something this time, so after I was done she checked and sure enough, I had went poop! Yeh! Still no pee, but Mom assures me that whenever I'm ready she'll help me get to the potty to do that, too.

I am TWO!!!!

2008-11-09T08:44:00.002-06:00

Happy birthday to me!! I turn two today. And I will tell you so if you ask me:)

No big party for me today - a big snowstorm last week snowed in my grandparents and uncles so we'll have my party next weekend instead. Hope they shovel out by then, ha ha! Its gonna be a train party and I am so excited! Mom says there will be cake, too. Can't wait.

Check you later. I am gonna go play and enjoy my birthday.

Updates, updates, updates

2008-11-08T16:04:00.004-06:00

So, we are way behind on keeping you up to date on my happenings! Its been over a month and a half since my last post - I apologize!! We've been busy moving from the apartment to the house on Oct. 6th and since them have been unpacking and trying to make the house pretty. Well, not so much me - I like to demolish whatever I can in the name of exploration and having fun:)

Anyway, I turned 23 months old on the 9th of October - right after we moved in the house. I keep growing and developing, saying more and more words. Mommy can't keep track anymore since I say a new word every day. Currently my favorite word is EAT! I am still a picky eater but I want to eat constantly it seems. I am also obsessed with sports and say baseball, hockey, football, and Touchdown!!! I also love my books of course. You can never read too many books. I love my Baby Beluga book but Daddy does not. He does not know the song so he won't sing it to me:( I am really into my Dr. Seuss books lately, too. And my counting books are getting good use. I can count to 3 now and sometimes even further although many times out of order. I know that I am turning TWO!!! soon. I am also interested in colors and shapes. Other favorite phrases include "Wowsie!" and "Oh buddy!" I love saying goodbye to people and will say so to everyone as we leave a public place. My goodbyes are regular bu-byes now instead of "see ya's." Mommy and Daddy kind of miss the see ya's.

Oh, last week I went Trick or Treating for the first time. I dressed up last year but didn't TorT. This year I was Superman or Superboy depending on who you ask. It was so much fun. Daddy helped me fly! We went to the Treat Street at the Alerus Center and then Daddy and I TorTed on our street while mommy stayed home. When I got back I helped her pass out candy to the kids coming to the door. I loved it! I got loads of candy but my parents only let me have some of it:( Not good for my teeth of something they said.

Speaking of teeth, forgot to mention that I got my eye teeth in a few months ago when we were still in KC. Now I only have my 2-3 year back molars and I will have a full set of teeth. We'll have to wait until I get to the doctor to learn my 2 year stats, but we do know that I am 28 pounds about right now.

Well, that's it for now. Enjoy my pictures from the last 2 months!

22 to 23 Months:

23 to 24 Months

Help me plan my birthday!

2008-09-24T19:08:00.001-06:00

Way Late on my 22 Month Update

2008-09-23T17:48:00.003-06:00

Yeah, Mama sucks and is way behind on computer stuff. Better catch you all up, huh? Well, on Aug. 28th the packers arrived and packed up all our stuff. Then me and Mom had to live in a house full of boxes for 5 days until the moving truck came on Sept. 2nd and hauled away all our junk. Next, it was off to our friends the Dunn's house where we stayed for 4 nights while Mommy finished up her dissertation stuff and such. It was really fun because Lexi and I had a blast playing! I miss her bunches. Before we left town, our friends Liz and Gabby threw us a goodbye party (see the post below) that was so much fun! A bunch of my little friends came including Lexi, Lilly, Iz, Claire, Eli, Joseph, Khary, Khalil, Valerie, Charlotte, Louise, Jacob, Merani, Zoe, Kieran, London, and Linc. I already miss everyone and our playgroups and such. Mommy is so boring and I haven't made any new friends yet. I have played with other kids at the playgrounds up here but most of them have been older than me. I think big kids are cool!

Anyway, after leaving KC on Sept. 6th, we drove up to Omaha and stayed over night with my Great Aunt Jeanne. I had fun visiting with her and my cousins David and Debbie and Steve. I played on Debbie's swingset and with her kitties! Aunt Jeanne's kitties were pretty fun, too. Well, Sept. 8th we finally took off for EGF and drove the 10 hours up there in one shot. Mommy's junky car made it all the way no problem despite doubts from lots of people. Ha ha!

It was so nice to see Dada again and roughhouse with him! I missed him! We settled into the apartment with Daddy, but I wish the rents would let me run outside more! They won't let me go out on the balcony by myself since its 2 stories up. Since we aren't on the ground floor, I've gotten practice at walking up stairs unassisted. At first, I thought I couldn't do it but Mommy had not doubts I could. She knew I only needed practice since I wasn't used to it being our old house was a ranch style. Anyway, I learned to hold onto the handrail for support and I say "Step" every time I take a step:)

I've come up with lots of new words in the last month, too many to list. But my current favorites are "eat" and "water" (for drinking and to take a bath) and "car." I also have some sentences like "I sit" and "I step." Mommy still wished my enunciation would get better so she could understand my Nicky Chinese, or as Matt calls it, Chinglish. I get frustrated when she can't understand what I'm trying to say. And when I want to do things myself and she won't let me, that really gets me angry! I LOVE to play clean and I push around the broom and Swivel Sweeper all the time. I continue to be obsessed with books and computers. Mommy says she's gonna have to wean me off TV when we move to the new house. Despite not having tv for the last 2 months in our old house, since being in the apartment I have become transfixed with the tv despite the fact that we don't have cable and only get 4 channels.

We had our house inspection last week and as long as the sellers agree to make the fixes Mommy and Daddy asked for, we will be moving in on Oct. 6th. That is only 2 weeks away! We all can't wait.

For all you in ND, come visit us soon! I'll be having a big shindig in Nov. for my birthday. For my friends in KC, I miss you! Can't wait til our next visit.

My Friends in KC

2008-09-23T16:57:00.003-06:00

Mommy and I have been up here in EGF for two weeks now, and Mommy finally got all our pictures uploaded from the past month. Before we left KC, we were sure to spend lots of time with our friends there. In fact, our friend Liz hosted a farewell party for us and all our friends from our parenting group in KC. Mommy made sure to take lots of pictures that night:)

21 Month Old Waterbaby

2008-08-07T19:51:00.007-06:00

Hi y'all! I'm 21 months old as of Saturday! We have busy day planned visiting my friend, Clayton, in the morning, and then Mommy is working on genealogy in the afternoon with the help of a friend and will even busier Saturday. So, I thought I'd give you the monthly update a little early. We didn't do anything special for the 4th of July because I'm not a big fan of loud noises so Mommy and Daddy didn't think I'd enjoy the fireworks. But, we did grill out and hang out at home which was nice after our crazy week before that getting our house ready to be sold. Since then, we've been spending a lot of time (even more than the usual) outside the house since we've had a bunch of showings and open houses. We've went out to eat, to coffee shops, to malls, to the playground, to the spraygrounds, and to the wading pool. We've spent a BUNCH of time in the water, as is my preference! I l-o-v-e the water. I am always hopping in my baby pool when we are at home, but the pool and spraygrounds have been so much fun, too! I am a social butterfly and make friends instantly. I love summer. I have a nice little farmer tan, but that's only because Mama always makes me wear my rashguard shirt at the pool. I'm getting really blond, too, from all that sun. Although, it has gotten so hot this past week (over 100 degrees)that I have been telling mommy its hot and blowing (my way of signing "hot") whenever we go outside or get in the car. You know its roasting out when a toddler thinks its too hot!

Last week my daddy was off from work before he started his new job so I got to spend lots of time with him. That was fun! On Thursday we went to the Deanna Rose Farmstead. Daddy helped me feed the goats and I had fun playing on the playground there and checking out the duck pond. Too bad the next day Daddy had to leave for Minnesota. He started his new job there this Monday. Mommy and I both miss him tons!! I talk to him bunches on the phone and blow him kisses before we say bu-bye. Hope our house sells quickly so we can all be together again soon.

This week I got to go to the Wonderscope Children's Museum with my friend Clare. They have a cool indoor playground with ramps and stuff just for babies and toddlers plus a play store with playfood, grocery carts, an ATM, and everything a real store would have. In the lunch area, I enjoyed checking out the play submarine and watching the big kids feed koosh balls into the air tubes and watching them come out the other end of the tubes. So cool! Mommy has a whole list of things she wants us to do before we leave Kansas City so I'm sure she'll keep us busy.

I keep working on my words. I say a bunch of new ones all the time but only some of them really stick. Mommy counted 30 words that I definitely use regularly: Mommy, Daddy, Yeah, No, Yuck, Yum, Hi, See ya, Puppy, Doggy, Kitty, Beep beep, Toot toot, Car, Ball, Nicky, Bobby, Pretty, There, Owie, Baby, Eye, Happy, Cookie, Hoot, Hee-haw, Up, Didy, Thank you, Sorry, Go, Good, Cold, Hot, and Dirt. I am currently obsessed with dogs - every animal is a puppy according to me, and cars - every vehicle is a car, I say, although I am really more interested in trucks and tractors then regular old cars. I have said truck before but prefer to refer to every vehicle as car now. I have told both of my parents that I love them. Mommy thinks I have a bunch more words but that they just can't understand me most of the time because my enunciation is bad. I'll keep working on it. My Grandpa Huizenga says I'm speaking Chinese. I continue to adore reading. My books are currently my favorite toys. My favorite books right now are The Very Lonely Firefly, Tractor Factory, and Moo, Ba, La La La.

Oh, we got to see my grandparents a few weeks ago when we made a trip up to Grand Forks to look at housing options. I got to hang out with Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Bob while Mommy and Daddy looked at houses and apartments. I even got to go in the big pool at the hotel which I was really excited about. Every time I saw the big pool on the way to our hotel room, I squealed with delight. Mommy and Daddy did decide on a house for us to buy, too! After some negotiations, our offer on the house was accepted, but it is contingent on the sale of our house in KC, so sell, house, sell!! The new house has a whole lot more room, a fenced yard for me to play in, and a cool fish pond. We'll post pictures as soon as its a done deal.

Enjoy my monthly slideshow and a video of me playing at the playground at Deanna Rose. Check you later, homies!

20 Months & BIG NEWS!

2008-07-14T16:09:00.002-06:00

We're moving!!! That's right, we're leaving good ole KC... Here's what's going on: Daddy got a job as the city administrator for East Grand Forks, MN (right across the river from where Mommy and Daddy went to college and met) and he starts his job Aug. 4th! The last 3 weeks since he found out have been super busy. First, the parents had to clean the whole house and get it ready to be sold. Mommy says this is called "staging" and it involved them packing up half of our stuff and furniture to make the place look nice and big. They moved all of my toys from the living room to my room and even the TV went into the garage! It was no fun because they only had 3 days to do all this before our first open house. They were so busy and didn't have time to play with me:( So, a bunch of my friends had me over to play at their houses while Mommy and Daddy worked on our house. That was way more fun than hanging out with them anyway! So, Daddy will have to be in EGF early next month but sounds like Mommy and me will likely stay behind in KC until the house here sells. Its a bit up in the air which is freaking Mama out. We are making a trip up to the Grand Cities this weekend to check out houses and other housing options (aren't sure if we're going to buy or rent yet)so we should know more after that trip. Mommy says I get to see my Grandma and Grandpa Huizenga and my Uncle Dusty so that should be fun! Anyway, please pray that our house in KC sells quickly and for a good price so Mommy can quit her worrying! Then we can concentrate on the move and getting to know our new home. Mommy says its really pretty and closer to all our family. She did warn me that its way colder with more snow and that they are probably going to teach me this game called hockey in a few winters. Hmmmm.... I'm going to miss Royals baseball, all the fountains around KC, and my awesome friends here. Its gonna be sad to say bye-bye to them:(

Ok, well in other news, I turned 20 months old on the 9th. Only 4 more months til another birthday party! I keep getting taller and people keep telling me I look like a little boy instead of a baby. I now know how to say my name (Ni-te), pretty, ball, there, and a bunch more words that I can't think of right now. I'll have to add more later. My favorite word continues to be NO!!! I love my books. And having them read over and over and over again. I still have 12 teeth (all of my first 4 molars are popped through) but more seem to be on the way. My hair is pretty darn thick and now it is very wavy, too, just like Mama's. I got another haircut at the barbershop on Saturday and Mommy says I look just like a minature Scott. She says she prefers my hair longer though, and won't quit talking about how the hairdresser cut too much. Thank goodness my hair grows quickly.

We've been doing lots of stuff this past month including hosting water playdates at our house once a week (until the house had to be sold and then we had to stop:( ), going to playdates and playgroups, going to the park, playing outside whenever I could which usually involved me jumping in my pool, and attending classes from the summer co-op that my mom's parenting group organized. So far I've done Toddler Tunes (like Sing & Sign), Paren-Tot gymnastics, Spanish Songs, Yoga for Littles, and if we stick around in August I get to go to a Fingerpainting Dance Party and a class on bubbles. Fun!!

Hi, Hello; Bye, See ya!!!!

2008-06-13T12:00:00.002-06:00

I am obsessed with greetings these days. I love saying Hi. And I am an enthusiastic waver. But, my new favorite phrase is "See ya!!" I like to say that as we say goodbye. I also play "goodbye" where I get on my ride-on truck or sit backwards on my push-toy (I use it as a scooter) and wave bye-bye to Mama and Dada and say "See ya!" and they have to say it back. I'm starting to get into the pretend play thing. I also love play kitchens and cleaning tools and anything going on in the kitchen. Mommy jokes that they will have to send me to culinary school. I also love cars and enjoy any chance I get to pretend drive in cars or trucks or grandpa's tractor. I've got the steering wheel thing down!

Well, better say Goodbye again. I gotta take a nap. But I hate saying goodbye!!! I cry every time someone leaves whereever I am at. I love people and want to keep playing with them. Mommy calls me a sensitive social butterfly. Anyway, bye bye, see ya!!

19 Months Old!!

2008-06-10T19:27:00.003-06:00

I turned 19 months old yesterday! I'll try to add some more updates soon, but please be patient. We have be so very busy lately. First of all, I have been teething a ton. Owie!!! In the last month, the last 2 bottom front teeth and all 4 of my first molars broke through. It was so painful. Poor me!

We got back from a 10 day trip to North Dakota last Monday. It was so fun! Since then we've had a garage sale, Mommy and Daddy went to a concert (without me:( ) while I had fun at my babysitter Jessica's house, and I've been participating in a summer school co-op my mommy's parenting group is putting on. This month, I am participating in Parent-Tot gymnastics, Toddler Tunes, and today we took at tour of a farm down in Pleasanton, KS. It was a lot like my Grandpa Bob's farm except this one had pigs, goats, and horses. I really loved the baby kittens they had there - they were only a few weeks old. Anyway, I gotta go take a bath. I got dirty at the farm:)

My Trip to North Dakota

2008-06-10T17:14:00.001-06:00

18 Months and Long and Lean!

2008-05-22T08:42:00.005-06:00

Long time no chat!!! Sorry, we've been busy. Mama's been working a bunch on her dissertation and I've been wanting to be outside as much as possible. Anyway, there's lots to catch you up on. First I turned 18 months old almost two weeks ago already. But, I just had my doctor's visit last Thursday. Guess what? I am still tall - 34.25 inches which is in the 90th percentile. However, now I am a skinny dude - 25 pounds even which is in the 30th percentile. The doctor says I have the same build as Mommy. She called me "long and lean" and said I was doing great. Guess all that running around burned some of my baby chub off. Oh, and my head continues to be in the 25th percentile for circumference. Other than that, here's what's been going on this past month: Daddy turned 32 in April (and we had yummy chocolate cake), Mommy and I have been going to the park a lot (check out the pics), I have a new cousin, Abi, and another new 2nd cousin, Jada (my cousin's Holly's new daughter) who was born on my Mommy's birthday (May 14th), and my Mommy turned 31. We also spent Mother's day weekend in Minneapolis because my daddy had a job interview in Marshall, MN (nice town, but he didn't get the job). I got to play in the pool. Fun! Oh, I just got another tooth in with more on their way! The other bottom left tooth popped through last week and now the other right one is coming. So are a bunch of my molars. Ouch!!! Mom can feel the edge of one of them already popping through. Why do they have to all come at once?! And on top of that, I have the nastiest seasonal allergies this year! Yuck! I guess the pollen count in through the roof here in KC.

Tomorrow we are taking off for a week in North Dakota!! Mom's not sure how I'll do with all the driving. Hopefully I'll sleep just enough but not too much. We are going to visit both sets of grandparents plus my new cousin Abi. Can't wait. Better go prepare for our trip. Hope too see everyone in ND! For everyone else, have a great holiday weekend!!

Welcome Baby Abigail

2008-04-25T07:49:00.003-06:00

I have a new cousin!! Actually, she's my first one. Baby Abigail Sophia Huizenga was born last night. She belongs to my uncle/Godfather Byron and my aunt Becky. I get to go meet her next month. Can't wait! Check out the pictures Uncle Byron sent us last night:

My 17 Month Update - A Few Weeks Late!

2008-04-24T13:12:00.003-06:00

Gosh, my family has been so very busy lately. Mommy has gotten barely any time on the desktop computer and has instead mainly used the laptop so we can stay out in the living room where most of my toys are. Problem is that the pictures are stored on the desktop which makes updating the web albums hard. Anyway, she finally got it done today so enjoy!

More to come - LATER!

The Easter Bunny came on Sunday!

2008-03-28T14:47:00.004-06:00

Hi Everyone! I had so much fun this past Sunday! I bet you did, too! Did the Easter Bunny visit your house, too? Let me tell you about my Easter. First we went to church in the morning and learned about Jesus's death and resurrection. Church was really full again so we all sat in the crying room with some other families. Dada said that sitting in the crying room is not an excuse for all the adults to talk during the mass. Anyway, then we went home and I got my Easter basket. It was full of fun toys and books. I got bubbles, sidewalk chalk, play dough (that I've already tried to eat), some special toddler crayons (that I've also already tried to eat), some board books including Peter Cotontail, a wooden toy train, and a casinet. I had so much fun playing with that stuff and the plastic eggs and grass that came in my basket. Daddy even got out the bubbles and blew some for me. Those things are cool!! Can't wait to use my sidewalk chalk. Mama won't let me use that inside:( Ooh, I also got the coolest stuffed Easter bunny from my Godmommy Tiffanni. He is a baseball bunny and he is so soft! I love him! Wish we had pictures of him but our camera battery went dead. Mommy, hurry up and charge that thing! She also gave me some Nicky-sized Easter candy - good thing since Mommy didn't buy any candy for me. Mommy says the mini suckers Tiffy sent are the perfect size for me and she left me have one. Yummmm! I slept through Easter dinner but got to have some when I woke up. Mommy made orange glazed ham, scallopped potatoes with leeks, asparagus, a citrus spring greens salad with candied pecans, buns, and a strawberry lemon trifle for dessert. Super yummy.

Anyway, hope you all had a great holiday, too.

More New Words

2008-03-21T11:18:00.003-06:00

I have now mastered saying "doggy," "thank you," "mooo," and "hoo(t)" (can you tell that I'm obsessed with animal sounds?). I am getting close on meow and ruff ruff. And just today, I said my first sentence. I am really enamored with my Dada lately, so everyday when I wake up, I start talking about my Dada. I usually get upset when Mama points out that my Dada is at work. However, today when my Mama said that, I repeated back "Dada at work."

16 Months Old!

2008-03-14T19:08:00.001-06:00

My Vocabulary: Mommy, Daddy, Yucky, Owie, Uh-Oh, Kitty, Go, Didy, Yummy, Hi/Hello, No, Yeah, working on Thank you and Good Night

My Signs: More, Diaper, All Done, Eat, Drink, working on Sleepy/Tired

My Loves: exploring, playing with the big kids, practicing my words/talking, copying the big people, computers, the bathroom, watching Mommy cook, roughhousing and wrestling with Daddy (I pin him!), climbing, running, being outside, bouncing and jumping, singing and music, answering the phone (Hello, hello, hi, hello), using my fork and spoon (I can spear a Cheerio with my fork!), baths, books, making noise and screaming, my shoes

15 Months Old!!

2008-02-11T14:29:00.001-06:00

14 Months Old!

2008-01-14T22:30:00.000-06:00

My Trip to Union Station

2008-01-07T21:56:00.000-06:00

As my mommy mentioned in her blog, she and I made a trip to the old time train station building here in Kansas City called Union Station right before Christmas. The KC Amtrak stop is still there. It also has a children's science museum, historical stuff, and changing exhibits there now. Anyway, every year for Christmas they have a huge toy train display complete with villages and dozens of motorized trains. It was so cool!!!! I loved it. I giggled and ran around looking at different parts of it from behind the plexy glass partition. Mama is promising me a toy train set of my own when I get a little bit older. I also got to go on a kids train ride around the big Christmas tree they had. So fun! Mama kept reminding me that I needed to stay sitting and once she reminded me, I listened. Here are some pictures and a video. Enjoy!

Merry Belated Christmas Everyone!

2008-01-06T16:39:00.000-06:00

Change My Diaper!!

2008-01-02T16:47:00.001-06:00

"What we've got here is failure to communicate." - The Warden in "Cool Hand Luke" (edited for correction:)

I hate wearing poopy diapers. Yuck! I want them off and changed ASAP. So, I've been working on the word "di-dee" for diaper and pretty much have it down. When I have a full pants, I tell Mom or Dad "didy" and try to get them to change me. Problem is that sometimes they don't understand me. They say my didy word sounds like Daddy or Dee-dee-dee or di-di-di sometimes. Phhhhth! Throw me a bone here! I want my dang diaper changed NOW! Yesterday afternoon, it took numerous attempts before my parents finally got it, and then they sure felt stupid. Serves them right. I kept going back and forth from one room to the other (Mom was on the computer in the guest bedroom and Dad was out in the living room)trying to get one of them to understand me. They didn't realize this until after Mommy finally understood me and then checked in with Daddy. Those two are such dorks some times!

Baby Signs and Talkin'

2007-12-15T16:40:00.000-06:00

Hi Guys! Wanted to let you know that I used my first sign yesterday - for the word "more." Mommy was very excited! She has been trying to teach me some signs since I was about 8 months old (she says she wishes she were more consistent with it, though). Anyway, I think its pretty neat, so now I use that sign all the time. Mommy hopes I learn the signs for "all done" and "diaper" soon. She says that would help us communicate a bunch.

I am also still working on my words. I finally learned how to say "yes" yesterday. We'll see if I get as good at saying and using it as I am with "no." It also sounded like I was trying to say "kitty" yesterday when I was playing with my friend Clayton's cat. I am parroting all kinds of words I hear adults using. Its fun to be like the big people!

I'm 13 Months Old!

2007-12-11T15:50:00.001-06:00

Gosh, I am 13 months old already! Seems like my birthday party was just a few days ago. Well, I've been busy this last month. First, I caught a case of roseola, a virus that causes fever and a rash, right around my birthday. The doctor saw my rash at my appointment and diagnosed it. She said I must have had a mild case since it barely affected me. Then me and the rents went to San Diego for Thanksgiving. See the details in the post below. All of us had fun. But, I caught another germ and got sick on the plane ride back. I've had a yucky head cold for the last 2 weeks but am getting better. Guess I am building up my immune system. Cold season is no fun!

These days I am working on using my spoon and fork (I'm not that interested most of the time), shaking my head no and saying no (Mama wishes I'd learn how to say yes), getting people to laugh and laughing when I want to be silly, getting into every nook and cranny of the house (I love the stuff in Daddy's bathroom organizer, pulling the CD's down off their shelves, and trying to un-decorate the Christmas tree), practicing throwing my ball, singing and dancing along to music, saying Yeah randomly, squealing, and talking babytalk like I'm actually having a conversation.

Oh, since Mama forgot to give you my 12 month stats at my doc appointment, here they are: Height - 30.5 inches (75th percentile), Weight - 23lbs. 10oz. (70th percentile), head circumference - 17.75 inches (25th percentile). If you look back at my 9 month stats, it look like I barely grew in length or head circumference these last 2 months! But you might remember that Mommy said that the nurse that month was very generous with her measurements so they weren't very accurate. The doctor said this same thing when she saw my numbers this time. Oh, and my 4th top front tooth finally popped through the other day. That makes 6 total. Mommy is wondering where my other 2 bottom front teeth are hiding!

I think that covers it! I hope I feel all better soon so I can go play with my friends again. I miss playgroup! I was going to go today but now we have a little ice storm outside to deal with so it was canceled. Bummer! Oh, I saw snow for the first time a few days ago. Weird stuff! We sent out Christmas cards to lots of people and I've enjoyed looking at the cards and pictures we're getting in return. Mommy tells me to wish you all Happy Holidays!

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Everyone!

2007-12-11T15:37:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did. I got fly for the third time! We went out to San Diego, CA to my uncle Daren's place. It was so much fun! Uncle Daren is silly and tried to teach me how to run really fast. He also gave me many rides around on his shoulders. His girlfriend, Anna, is my new best friend. She is so nice. She snuggled me and played with me lots. I liked exploring Uncle Daren's new condo. He has steps so I climbed those a bunch. I'd rather skip the coming down on my own part, though. Climbing up the stairs = fun; climbing down the stairs = a waste of my time. I also got to hang out with my Grandma and Grandpa Laub and they were fun as always. They even babysat me one evening which went fine. I fell asleep on Grandpa's chest. We got visit my mom's friend Kim from grad school who also lives in San Diego. I liked playing with her sons Max and Miles. Uncle Daren also showed us the beach and ocean and the Wild Animal Park. We saw lots of animals there, but I think the gorillas were my favorite. I got to pet some of the animals, too. Cool! It was an awesome trip. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner including the turkey, sweet potatoes (my old favorite), and pumpkin pie (a new favorite). I think I am most thankful for my family since they are a bunch of really nice people. Wish I could see everyone more often. The only downside to the whole trip was on the way back home. I got a fever on the plane, but it didn't really bother me too much. I slept during both flights which was a relief to Mommy and Daddy. So, I've been sick with a head cold for the last 2 weeks. Yucky. But its finally going away. Mommy wonders if it was one cold or 2 in a row. I sure was a snotty bugger for a while. It made it really hard for me to breathe at night when I was sleeping. Mommy says that's what she gets for taking me on a plane twice in the matter of a month. Yucky airplane air plus new germs as well as all the excitement and energy wipe-out that comes with vacations means I was susceptible to getting something. Maybe I should be thankful for my health as well. Happy Thanksgiving - hope you are as blessed as I am!

My 12 Month Portraits

2007-12-06T22:14:00.000-06:00

My Birthday Party Slideshow

2007-11-16T17:44:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!

2007-11-09T11:12:00.000-06:00

I am 1 year old today!!! Yeh! I'm now a toddler. Peace out - I gotta go party!

Another Haircut Before My Birthday

2007-11-08T20:50:00.000-06:00

Just got another haircut an hour ago. That makes number 3. Mama thought I needed to spiffy up before my doctor's appointment tomorrow and my party on Sunday. She says I was too shaggy. She was scared to give the haircut this time because it was more involved (she had to trim around my ears) and I move more now. But, it turned out pretty good again. Check out the pics.

Oh, please keep your fingers crossed for us. The party decor for my birthday was supposed to arrive today or tomorrow and now the tracking info. says it won't come until Monday. That's a day too late for the party which would be a major bummer. Let's hope the estimate is wrong and it gets here tomorrow or Saturday. Mom talked to customer service and if it gets here too late, she can send it all back and get her money back but she would be sad. Please, post office, get me my package fast!

My Twelfth Month

2007-11-08T13:41:00.001-06:00

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!

2007-11-08T13:31:00.000-06:00

I have been grumpy this week. Mama thought it was just teething. Then, Tuesday evening, I developed a fever of 102 degrees. Uh oh, Mama thought, maybe Nicky's getting sick. Other than the fever, I didn't show many other signs of illness other than a very slightly stuffy nose. My parents let the fever do it job and it seemed to work. By morning my fever had broken. I did get some Tylenol to help me sleep at about midnight. I also had some diarrhea the next day but nothing too bad. I think I am pretty much over whatever was going on. My immune system must be working!

In other news, another tooth has popped through. Its my other front tooth on the left side. That's number 5 for those how are counting. Man, I wish my toofers would give me a break for a while. This teething stuff is hard work! Mama says the fourth top tooth looks to be popping through soon. Mama says they are just trying to catch up since I started teething a little later than is usual.

Today is the last day of the first year of my life. This year went crazy fast! I go to the pediatrician tomorrow and we are having a party with some of my friends on Sunday. Don't worry, we'll post lots of pictures!

My Orlando Trip

2007-11-05T20:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween plus some more teeth

2007-10-31T12:28:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween everyone! And happy birthday to my uncle Daren who is 28 today! Well, I am going to dress up as a... wait for it... Monkey today. You know, since Mom and Dad always call me that anyway, they figure its a fitting costume. Anyway, here are few pics.

In other news, my two top front teeth popped through (one Monday and one today) so now I have 4 teeth total. My bottom teeth are fully visible now so here's a picture of that.

Still recovering from our vacay in Orlando - it was super fun. I really liked the Disney characters and all the animals at Seaworld. I'll have a slide show and post on the vacation later. Peace out for now.

-Nickster

Oops! Turned 11 Months

2007-10-12T14:41:00.000-06:00

Oopsie! I turned 11 months old on Tuesday and forgot to post my specs. Well, according to the not-always-accurate Mommy measurements, I am 30.5 inches long and the scale says I am 24 pounds about. I have had busy month with: teething (2 and counting), walking (I am getting good at it and pretty brave), exploring (T-R-O-U-B-L-E, I now do stairs), playing (I attend 2 playgroups a week and I've had numerous playdates as of late), eating (Mommy wants to know why I like to eat paper so much), and being silly. I've clapped a few times but don't do it very often. I also like to squeal a bunch.

This coming month will be my last before I turn one! Time flies. There is some exciting stuff on the horizon, I am told. Daddy has a conference in Orlando the 20-25th and we are going with him. Disney World, here I come! When we get back, I get to trick-or-treat for the first time, although Mommy says no candy for me this year. Then, it will be time for my birthday party. I don't know what that is but Daddy keeps telling me I'm gonna like it. I'm going to my first birthday party this weekend for my friend, Lilly, so I guess I will get a preview for what I am in for.

Guess I Look More Like Mom

2007-10-12T11:52:00.000-06:00

10 to 11 Month Slide Show

2007-10-08T17:07:00.001-06:00

Tooth Number 2

2007-10-07T18:42:00.000-06:00

My second front bottom tooth popped through today. Man, this teething thing ain't fun. I have been fairly decent to live with lately, but you can tell I'm in pain at times. I am always chewing on my fingers, drooling tons, and occasionally I'll let out a little whimper/whine to let everyone know that it still hurts. It is hard to sleep through the pain, and I let out a little cry in my sleep and roll over before settling down and drifting off again. Mama says, "Poor little buddy," and gives me my teething medication. Did I mention before that I love my teething tablets? They are the best. Sometimes, I go and find them if I can and bring them to Mom when I want them. I always smile when she opens up the bottle. And that Orajel stuff is helpful, too. It makes my gums and tongue numb which feels weird. We'll see if the top front teeth want to pop through soon or not. Well, I'm going to go watch the Bears. Peace out.

Walking Video

2007-10-06T18:46:00.000-06:00

I Have a Toofer

2007-10-03T18:14:00.000-06:00

I got my first official tooth today. Owie!!! I have been teething this whole past month or so so its about time. I love my teething tablets! They really help. The bottom 2 front teeth buds have been swollen and really raised for a few weeks and you can see my teeth buds on the top too so there might be more on the way soon. Anyway, this first tooth is my bottom front left one. Mommy has been checking my gums with her finger every morning and this morning she felt the edge of the tooth. It hurts though, so I don't like her feeling it with her finger but I touch it a lot with my tongue. By this afternoon you could definitely see the little white edge above my gums. No way I am going to open up wide and let Mommy take a picture of it! I can not be bothered with such things.

9 to 10 Month Slide Show

2007-09-25T14:13:00.001-06:00

My 2nd Trip To North Dakota!

2007-09-24T15:35:00.000-06:00

I'm Walking!!!

2007-09-23T20:39:00.000-06:00

I just took 5 or 6 six steps across the living room while watching football on the television. Daddy had predicted I would walk at 3:24pm this afternoon so I was only about 6 hours late. Not too bad! Hopefully my parents will catch me in action on the video camera soon. Okay, back to football. Go Bears!

10 Months Old - What a busy month!

2007-09-09T14:39:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! Wow, I've been busy this last month. I think it will take a few posts to really explain it all. Let's start out with my stats. I had my check-up at my pediatrician's office just last Tuesday. Now, I was almost 10 months old at this point so my percentiles might be a little skewed, but oh well. I weighed in at 22 pounds 11 oz. (75th percentile) which is cool. Momma thought I was at least 23 pounds by now because our scale at home said 23 pounds and Grandma Kathy's scale in Regent said 23.5 pounds! I am still pudgy but I am definitely getting longer and leaner. I am 30.25 inches long which is pretty tall - 95th percentile. My head measured 17.75 inches around. Mom thinks the nurse was being generous in her measurement there - its in the 50th percentile this time instead of the 25th percentile like all my past head circumference measurements.

In other developments, I am continuing to crawl everywhere my heart desires and at a really fast speed. You should see my butt wiggle from behind when I get going! I love cruising around furniture and am constantly pulling up on whatever I deem suitable for that purpose (my parents' legs, the toilet, the patio door, etc.). I can also stand on my own!! I can do it for as long as 4-5 seconds at a time. I stand the longest when I don't realize that I'm doing it. If I notice, I usually plop myself down or get wobbly and fall over. Walking should come soon. I love to walk around the house while holding onto my parents' fingers. I just love exploring in general. Mama noticed this month that I am noticing more and more new things and am really finding the world around me very interesting.

My speech is coming along. I currently am obsessed with g sounds. Ga, goo, ggggggh, etc. So, now I can do b's, d's, g's, ma's, and n's. My waving abilities depend on my mood, but I have also just started to clap now. That also depends on my mood! Oh, I love to watch commercials on the TV! Mama hates that. When the TV is on, whenever a commercial comes, I turn my head to see it, even when its on mute!! Mama wonders what's so magical about the commercials. Grandma Sharon said my dad liked commercials when he was a kid, too! Now he hates them. Go figure. My other likes include people, animals, and being outdoors. I am pretty social, although now I play shy at first before I turn on my charms. I will hide my face in Mama's shirt, then peak out and smile! I usually have no problem going to a new person, and I still enjoy being held until I decide its time to go crawling. I love, love, LOVE both dogs and cats and squeal with delight when I see them. I love to pet them. I say "eh, eh, eh" and crawl after them. In fact, I know how to pant like a doggy. I usually do that or use my fake cough to get attention or just to be cute. I also recently discovered my tongue and now love to stick out my tongue once again. At a playdate I had just this past Thursday, my friend Lilly who is a few weeks older than me was doing it and I thought it was pretty cool! Now I am doing it as often as possible. I also still enjoy making raspberry sounds.

Still no teeth though!! I think they are coming though. I have had a few crabby days and restless nights that seem to point to teething. Also, the pediatrician said that both my top and bottom gums are really swollen and you can feel the teeth buds. Maybe a bunch will come in at once? I don't know if that sounds fun. It doesn't keep me from eating, though. I can gum all kinds of soft, small pieces of fruits, cooked veggies, meats, breads/cereals. I am eating whenever my parents eat or else I get jealous, and most of the time it is what they eat, too, unless it is not baby-friendly.

Okay, this post is long enough. In the next one, I'll have to tell you all about the cool 2 week long trip Mom and I took to North Dakota. It was so much fun! I got to fly on a plane! So cool.

Before I go, a big birthday shout-out to my Grandpa Alfred, my cousin Savannah Wilson (the big 2), and my friend Olivia Miller who is 1 all have birthdays today. September 9th is a pretty special day! Check you later.

A new trick!

2007-08-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

Today I learned a new trick. Mom and I went to Subway for lunch. There was a big long line so I watched the cool ceiling fans while we waited. I wish we had some of those at home! They sure are interesting. Anyway, as we waited, a man eating his lunch took a shining to me and started waving at me and smiling. I smiled back. Then it was our turn in line. Later, while we were eating, the same man was exiting the shop and he smiled at me and waved again as he was leaving. This time I waved back! It was the first time I've waved. Mama thought it was so cool.

After Subway, we took a drive to Lawrence again. We stopped to see Mama's friend and former internship supervisor, Tracy, on the KU campus. It was my first time meeting her. She was nice. And I waved goodbye to her, too, as we were leaving her office. This waving thing sure is fun.

Next we stopped to play with the Rack-Meltons. I got to see my girlfriend, Cordelia, again. We played in the playpen together so their big ole dog Ranger wouldn't love on us too much. He loves babies, me included. And I love him, too. Puppy dogs are my favorite. I also love the doggy at the playgroup I go to every Tuesday morning, but I digress.

Anyway, after that we met up with one of Mama's friends, Sarah, and her son Aiden. Mama hadn't seen Sarah since internship and we hadn't met her (almost) 4 month old son yet. He sure is a big boy already. And he already has a tooth! I'm not too jealous, though. We had fun checking each other out, and Mommy and Sarah got to catch up.

It was a pretty good Friday. Hope the weekend is just as good.

9 Months Old!

2007-08-10T08:01:00.000-06:00

I turned three quarters of a year old yesterday! Yes, I am getting to be such a big boy. My pediatrician appointment got rescheduled and won't be until Sept. 4th so it will be more like my 10 month check-up. In the mean time, we'll have to make due with Mommy's calculations. According to her measurements, I am about 29 inches long (67th percentile), I weigh about 23 pounds (80th percentile), and my head is 27.5 inches around (25th percentile). Mommy and Daddy say I am thinning out a bit and getting longer and leaner. I guess that's normal for kiddos my age. I still have plenty of baby chub left, though. I continue to explore new tastes and textures with solid foods and now prefer real solids to purees (although I still love fresh applesauce).

I am also getting around really well and have become an expert crawler. I crawl all over the house. I like to explore and get into tight spaces and anything I'm not supposed to touch. My favorite thing right now is trying to pull down the speaker stand for the small surround sound speaker by the couch in the living room. I have succeeded several times, and each time it falls it scares me. Mommy tries to distract me and has explained several times that it will "fall, go boom" but I am just too curious. They swear I always go for the things I am supposed to stay away from. I am still quite into practicing my standing and cruising around furniture. Now I can hold on with just one hand!

Dada is my new favorite word. I also use Mama frequently as well as Neh, my word for nursing. I can also say Ba but haven't decided if I'll use that for ball or bunny. The other day when Daddy came home, he said "Hello!" and I imitated his inflection. It kind of sounded like "El-O" and my parents were quite impressed. I haven't repeated it since, though. As is normal for 9 month olds, I have entered my separation and stranger anxiety stage now. I still like people, but now I act shy and take a little bit to warm up before I start smiling and jump into a new person's arms. Also, when I decide I want my mom, I make it known! Even when I'm with Dada, I will call for Mom or go find her (now that I'm crawling so well). I really love my Dada, though. Mommy says that it seems like Dada is my happy word and Mama is my upset word. She doesn't like that so much, but Dada is really fun and Mama keeps me safe. Makes sense, right? I am still a happy baby who wears his emotions on his sleeve.

Yesterday was not only my 9 month birthday, but also my parents' 5th wedding anniversary! Happy anniversary Mom and Dad! They celebrated and went out to supper at a fancy restaurant. I spent a few hours with my first official babysitter other than my grandmas. My parents' friend Megan came over and played with me and we had a good time! I didn't cry at all. Mom was very proud of me. The night before, we had a house guest - our friend David Mitchell from Chicago. He and Daddy went to the baseball game that night and then he stayed overnight. He hung out a bit and played with me yesterday. He's fun! So, it was a long and exciting day. Daddy and I fell asleep on the couch together a little before 9pm. Enjoy the pics!

Me and Megan

The whole family

Daddy and I conked out

Nicky Videos

2007-08-08T12:32:00.001-06:00

Nicky saying Mama back in April:

Nicky saying Dada in July:

Nicky doing some complaining to the camera:

#1

#2

Nicky crawling around:

My 8th Month

2007-08-08T11:52:00.001-06:00

My 7th Month

2007-07-08T20:57:00.001-06:00

Crawling, Cruising, Eating and Stuff

2007-07-08T20:15:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! Mommy thought I had better get on here and give you guys an update before I turn 8 months old tomorrow. My 7th month was a busy one, let me tell you. First off, I'm now on the move. I started to lunge forward and push up onto all fours at the end of my 6th month. At the beginning of this month, I was moving myself around haphazardly through a combination of lunging, scooting, and minimal crawling. My parents called me "Stealth" because I could move myself from one end of the room to the other, but usually when no one was watching. They thought I might skip regular crawling since I wasn't really interested in perfecting my crawling, and instead I was trying to stand up. In fact, I was pushing up into what looked like a bear walk position, but could never really figure out how to stand up on my own. Mommy told me, "Silly, you need to pull yourself up by holding onto to something like my legs or the furniture." I practiced and now I am indeed pulling up into a standing position and just starting to cruise around furniture. It is my favorite thing to do!! I also figured out the crawling thing and know now how to move my arms and legs together. I could still use a little work on my technique but walking interests me more, I think.

I am now 22 pounds and a bit over 28 inches long. I continue to enjoy babyfood but would prefer to have what Mom and Dad are eating. Mommy did share some of her yummy soft peach with me the other day. She was impressed when I gummed it and ate it instead of just sucking on it. I just want to be like the big people! I hate it when they eat something I can't have yet. But, I am continuing to add more foods to my repertoire every few days so that I will be ready for table foods in a month or so. The only thing I haven't liked so far is mashed potatoes. Mommy and Daddy were surprised by that. Mommy thinks its a texture thing maybe. I also am not sure if I like squash or not. The jury is still out on that one.

Now that its summer, I really enjoy being naked. I prefer no clothes if possible. I also wish I didn't have to have my diaper on much of the time. Its a treat when Mommy lets me go without it for a little bit. Speaking of naked, I am also very into bath time. I like to splash loudly and kick my feet so the water sprays outside the tub! Mommy and Daddy also just got me a baby pool that I tried out for the first time last week. It was fun to splash in it and play with the toys that came with it.

I have been saying Mama for a few months now, and I use it quite often. Not only do I call for my Mom when I want her, but I also tend to say Mama quite loudly when I am upset or want something. I don't know, I guess I figure she usually fixes things for me. I am quite attached to her, too. Just yesterday, however, I finally said Dada a few times. We'll see if I build it into vocabulary along with Mama and lots of grunting. I grunt so much that Mommy and Daddy continue to call me Monkey. It doesn't help that I also like to hang upside down and I can be quite the little card. I like to be tickled (on my feet and my sides) and sometimes funny faces or noises can make me giggle. I also know how to ham it up and be cute to get attention. But watch out if I get frustrated or can't get something I want! I can make quite a ruckus. I guess I am finding my voice. I am also enjoying my toys much more these days and can entertain myself for much longer periods of time. Mommy is thankful for that, although when I'm bored or want to be picked up again, I let her know it!

Well, that's it for now. Happy 30th birthday to my Godmommy, Tiffanni Wax. I can't wait to meet her new baby when he/she arrives later this month.

Feeding the Monster

2007-06-29T20:47:00.000-06:00

I have been eating solid foods for a month and a half now. So far, I have enjoyed most of them, although breast milk is still my favorite (can you blame me?). The only thing that hasn't worked at all is bananas. I puked up the ones I had at my Grandma and Grandpa Laub's house. It was not pretty. I puked 5 times in all. Yucky. Mommy says we'll wait a few months before we try those again! Also, barley cereal is really hard for to digest yet so we backed off on that, too. Below is a list of the foods I've had so far. I am continuing to try single ingredient foods to make sure they all agree with me. Once I have a number of them under my belt, Mommy will mix a few together for me. She has put some of the fruits in my baby cereal already, and I have moved up from soupy smooth purees to slightly chunky food now. So far, applesauce, sweet potatoes, and cherries are my favorites. Mommy is making most of my food from scratch since she has the time and means. Since she like cooking, she has enjoyed cooking for me.

Nicky's Food Diary:

Cereals- rice cereal, oatmeal, barley cereal (shelved for now)

Veggies - carrots, avocado (actually a fruit), sweet potatoes, peas (next up: squash and green beans)

Fruits- bananas (yucky), apples, apricots, bing cherries, watermelon (next up: peaches, pears, and melon)

Me eating my spoon filled with sweet potatoes

Enjoying some cherries

My Adventures in Lawrence

2007-06-29T20:20:00.000-06:00

Hi guys! Long time, no type, right? Sorry, me and my parents have been busy. For example, last week Wednesday and Thursday Mom and I went to Lawrence Kansas where Mom and Dad used to live and work for awhile. Its only 45 minutes away from KC. Anyway, Mommy was invited to participate in a research meeting for a research grant she used to work on as a Graduate Research Assistant a few years ago. It involved a supper on Wednesday evening and an all-day meeting on Thursday. So, we drove down to Lawrence Wednesday and stayed overnight with our friends the Rack-Meltons. Mommy actually met Jennifer when they worked together at that same job at the Beach Center on Disability at KU.

Jennifer's husband, Phil, volunteered to babysit me along with his 3 kids while Jennifer and Mommy went to the events. Mommy was very thankful but wondered if Phil knew what he was in for. Phil said it was fine since he had to watch his 3 kids anyway, what was one more. Overall, things went pretty well. Mommy was only gone a few hours Wednesday evening. I enjoyed playing with Spencer who is not quite 4, Xavier who is 2.5, and Cordelia who is only 5 days younger than me! I also loved playing with their big doggy, Ranger, who is a Great Dane. I kept trying to french kiss him (you think it would be the other way around, right?). Cordelia and I did get upset right before Mommy and Jennifer came home because Xavier was mad that Spencer woke him up and that set us babies off. We got some crying in but not for long.

Thursday morning Mommy and Jennifer had to be at the meeting for breakfast at 7am sharp. Like my usual self, I wanted to be held by Phil most of the time while Mommy was gone. What can I say, I'm a lap baby for sure. By 11:30am, Mommy and Jennifer both were quite uncomfortable from not feeding us babies in over 4 hours, so Phil brought us to the meeting over lunch so we could get our lunch! That's good because I was continuing to be stubborn and refused to take a bottle again and did not eat much of my babyfood. The afternoon went well until the power went out at the house and the two toddlers started to rebel with no lights, tv, etc. So, Mommy and Jennifer bugged out of the meeting a little bit early to come save him from us. All in all, Mommy thought things turned out well. She says she owes Phil big time. It was just a bit stressful for the both of us since it was the longest we'd been apart and it was just a new situation. I didn't poop the whole time we were away from home! But, I got my normal rhythms back once we got home. I hope we go back to visit soon, although I prefer Mommy to stick around next time.

My first trip to ND!

2007-06-08T15:51:00.000-06:00

Me and the rents just got back from my first trip to North Dakota earlier this week. It was a great time!! We were gone for a week and a half, and let me tell ya, we were busy! There were many days of driving. Not my favorite, but I survived by sleeping. Lots. Mommy and Daddy said I'm a good traveler. Despite my many snoozes on the road, I still slept pretty normally at night, too. What I enjoyed best about the trip was all the people I met! I love people! It was great to meet all the friends and relatives my parents have been talking about. I enjoyed smiling at and playing with them all. I was held almost continuously - what a dream! The only problem was that I resisted taking my naps because I didn't want to miss any of the action:) Both sets of grandparents also threatened to keep me, of course!

We heard many different opinions as to who I look like or take after on the trip. Many people said I looked like: my Uncle Dusty, a Laub baby, a Welsch baby, my cousin Jordan Ottmar, my mommy, my cousin Keith Deibert, my daddy, my Great Grandma Ardis and probably a few more that Mommy can't remember. Anyway, its clear that I am a good combination of both of my parents, just as my parents had believed. One of these days Mommy is going to get together some pictures to illustrate some of these comparisons.

Here is a run-down of my meet-and-greets: my uncle Dusty and his friend Josh, my Great Aunt Arlene Brewer, my Grandma and Grandpa Laub, my Great Aunt Beverly Koller, my Great Aunt Mary and Great Uncle David Zentner, my cousin Tyla Wilson and her two daughters Kaydence and Savannah, my Great Aunt Arlene and Great Uncle Floyd Frieze, my cousins Holly and Jeremy Ottmar and thier kids Jordan and Jazlyn, my Godmother Tiffanni Wax and her husband Scott, my dad's former landlord Bernie Swang, my Grandma and Grandpa Huizenga, my Great Grandma Ardis Huizenga, my Great Grandma Eva and Great Grandpa John Deibert, my Aunt Becky Huizenga, my Great Aunt Virg and Great Uncle Dale Deibert, my Great Aunt Theresa Deibert, my Great Aunt Bonnie Iverson, my Great Aunt Barb and Great Uncle Rod Fossen and my cousin Paula, my dad's former piano teacher from childhood Hurdis Johnson, my Grandma Sharon's co-workers up at Glenburn School, my mom's friends from college Jessica Gunderson Ruhl and Amber Hoovestal (Mom and Dad attended Jessica's wedding during our trip), my cousin Toni Miller and her daughter Baylee, my cousin Loretta Frank. Mommy says there were so many more people we just didn't get a chance to see due to our cramped schedule. Thanks to everyone who made the great effort to come see us - we really appreciated it. Hope to see you all again really soon!!

North Dakota Trip Slideshow

2007-06-07T14:21:00.001-06:00

My Portraits

2007-05-22T21:59:00.001-06:00

Half a Year Old

2007-05-14T16:03:00.000-06:00

Hi everybody! Guess what, I am now 6 months old!! Actually, I turned last Wednesday the 9th, but Mom and Dad have been so busy with basement clean-up (see Mommy's blog for an explanation) that we haven't been on the computer much. At my check-up, I weighed in at 20 pounds 8 ounces, 27 1/4 inches long, and I have a 17 inch head. My percentiles are 91st for weight, 80th for height, and 25th for head circumference, so still around the same as last time. I only have a pound and a half to go before I will need a new carseat!! In the last month, I have learned to sit up completely on my own, I started babbling Ma Ma quite impressively, I have finally learned to roll over, and I can scoot myself across the floor when I'm sitting or on my belly, given the right motivation, of course. I also started solid foods last week (baby cereal)which I really enjoy. The food doesn't have much taste, but I like to do anything the big people are doing!!

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day with my mommy. We had fun because my Uncle Daren is in town so we're out and about showing him the city. He sure is funny! He keeps calling my Monkey, Baby Kong, and Michelin Baby. We are having fun hanging out. Tomorrow we are all going to the amusement park. I don't know if I'll get to ride any rides, though. I guess we'll have to wait and see. And today my Mommy turns 30! I am not looking forward to seeing the adults eating cake that I can't have!! Mom says 6 more months and I will get my own cake!!

A final slide show before I turn 6 months old

2007-05-08T16:04:00.001-06:00

My Arch Nemisis

2007-04-30T16:00:00.000-06:00

I have found my enemy. He goes by the name Bob. Bob the Builder to be exact.

Let me explain... My parents bought a stuffed Bob the Builder toy for me before I was born. He is about 13 inches tall and has a jackhammer he is holding (see picture below). If you push the button on the jackhammer, Bob talks and then his jackhammer vibrates. It is very loud and scary. I do not like it at all. I cry every time he talks. Down with Bob the Builder!

5-6 Month Photo Album Up

2007-04-27T14:26:00.000-06:00

5 Months to 6 Months

Nicky's 5 Month Slide Show

2007-04-27T14:23:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday to Daddy!!!!

2007-04-13T12:49:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to my favorite guy in the world!!!

A Slide Show for Easter

2007-04-13T12:44:00.001-06:00

Another month old and everybody's yucky sick!

2007-04-13T11:45:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody! Nickster's back to give you the low down again. Sorry for the delay - I know I turned another month old on Monday (that's 5 for those of you who lost count), but Mommy and Daddy got the flu this week. I only got a touch out it. Guess I have the best immune system of the bunch! Daddy got the start of head cold the end of last week and then ended up coming home from work early on Monday. By Tuesday he was throwing up and everything! Then Mommy got the yuckies that afternoon. Luckily, Mommy's version was not as extensive as Daddy's and went quicker, but neither of them ate for a whole day! I did though:) Anyway, by Wednesday night their tummies were requiring meals, but the food still wasn't settling like it normally would. Guess it will take a few days for them to be back to their old selves.

In other news, I now weigh about 20 pounds which scares Mommy because that means I will need a new carseat soon when I weigh 22 pounds. I am a little over 27 inches long, too. I also got my first haircut last week! Mommy gave my bangs a trim so the long hairs on top didn't get in my eyes and so I didn't look like a girl. She did a pretty good job, I think, although I gave her a hard time by wiggling around while she tried to do it. Luckily, my Bumbo chair held me in place somewhat. That's about it for me. I will have Mom post a new slide show for you soon. I am quite smiley lately so she's getting better at capturing that on camera. Peace out, y'all!

Sitting Pretty

2007-03-31T21:49:00.000-06:00

Hi guys! I have been working a bunch on my sitting this month. I sit as much as I can and wherever possible. I don't quite have enough balance and strength to sit upright and unassisted for more than a minute or maybe two, but I can now sit while leaning on my arms for support for many minutes in a row. I still fall over or forward lots, but practice makes perfect! I even try to sit up in my bouncy seat. It has a slight recline to it which is not be my liking anymore. Momma has to be sure to strap me into it now, as you can see, or I can and will squirm out of it. While taking these pictures, I tried to take a nose dive forward, so no more freedom in the bouncy seat for me anymore. Much to Mommy's chagrin, I still am showing no interest in rolling over. She thinks its because I am too chubby to pull it off. How mean, huh? I am much more interested in scooting or working on crawling while I am on my tummy. We'll see what I figure out next.

A New Slide Show

2007-03-21T17:21:00.001-06:00

Four Months Old and Growing Up

2007-03-12T21:25:00.000-06:00

Hey Everybody! I turned 4 months old on Friday, but Mom thought it best to wait until my doctor's appointment today to give you the low down on my progress on the growth and development fronts. First off, I continue to be a big boy. I weigh in at 17 pounds 10 ounces which is in at the 93rd percentile. I am 26 inches long which is at the 90th percentile. I have graduated to my 6-9 Month size clothes. I continue to have a little Laub head which measures 16 inches and is in the 20th percentile.

All went well at my doctor's appointment, although I had a bunch of shots again, and of course, they hurt! My doctor was impressed with my standing, sitting, and head/trunk control during tummy time. She said not to worry that I haven't rolled over yet. Many kids aren't doing that until 5 months now adays because they sleep on their backs as opposed to their tummies. I will continue my tummy time play and see if I catch on. Mommy and Daddy wonder if I ever will or if I'll just go straight to crawling since I spend my tummy time trying to push up and not rocking back and forth at all before I get fed up and get irritable. My doctor and Mom decided that I will likely wait until 6 months the start on solid foods because of my tummy issues and since breastfeeding is going so well!

In other news, I have recently taken an interest in reading materials such as my books and the newspaper. I like to look at the pictures. I also like to imitate things my parents are doing so I try to type on the computer or use the remote control. I am also paying a lot of attention to how they eat their big kid food. I have also started to laugh and giggle more consistently. One thing that amused me recently was jumping in my jumperoo which Mommy dug out on Friday. My hair hasn't fallen out yet, although it is getting thinner in front. New hair is growing in underneath that looks a little lighter but we still don't know yet if it is lighter brown or dark blond. My old hair is also looking lighter and appears to have a red tone to it. My eyes look like they will stay blue.

Finally, I was a little traveler on Saturday and went with Mommy and our friends Jennifer and her daughter Cordelia to the Kansas La Leche League conference in Hutchinson, Kansas. It was 4 hour drive for me but I did well on the way down by sleeping the whole way. Cordelia was a bit upset and I was getting overstimulated too by the drive home so we took turns crying for the first part of the drive home but then we finally fell asleep again. Anyway, the conference was fun. I liked the change of pace and all the people. Mommy said she enjoyed being around adults and she learned a bit, too.

The weather is so nice now that Mommy and I will likely be getting out and about quite a bit more. Today it was 70+ degrees so we went to the park 6 blocks away from our house. I slept the entire way and took a nice nap at the park, so Mommy wasn't able to give me my first experience on the swing. Next time!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-03-08T14:17:00.001-06:00

I Found My Thumb!

2007-02-26T13:41:00.000-06:00

My thumb is yummy. In fact, so are all of my fingers! Heck, I like to suck on most anything including my pacifiers, my fist, my clothing, whatever is in front of me. Until recently, I was desperately trying to suck on my fingers but couldn't get it just right. Now I've figured it out! I also finally got control of my thumb so I can use it alone, although I have been known to suck on a few of my fingers at once and very loudly I've been told. I also got my pacifiers back and forgot how to use them at first. Now I'm a champ at using those, too, and I even try to suck on my pacifier and fingers at the same time!

I am now close to mastering the art of getting myself to sleep by sucking away on either my fingers or my paci. Sometimes I even drift off naturally with no sucking assistance. Mommy is sure excited! She doesn't mind me using my thumb or the paci if it can help me soothe myself. Like I've said before, I could suck all day long. She figures that we can work on weening me from these habits when I get way older. After all, I am a baby, right?

Happy Love Day

2007-02-14T21:39:00.000-06:00

Mommy told me this morning that today is all about love. Well, I feel pretty loved so let's celebrate! I celebrated today by wearing my lovely Valentine's Day onesie, complements of Grandma Sharon (see pictures below). Daddy got all creative and made Mommy 6 mixed CD's of all the songs she had on her labor playlist on the MP3 player from when I was born. He made cover art and everything! Mommy thought it was pretty cool. Mommy and I got up and made Daddy breakfast and gave him his gift (a comfy cashmere sweater). Then, this afternoon, we made pot roast and Devil's Food cake for supper. It was a pretty sweet day. And now I'm pooped!

A Quarter Year Old

2007-02-10T22:46:00.000-06:00

Hey There! I couldn't get online yesterday to give you the rundown of my 3rd month birthday, but yes, I am now a quarter year old. I kept Mom and Dad up the night before so no computer time for me. Instead, we all three went to bed at 9:30pm and slept in til 9:30am this morning (with many interruptions by me, of course). Mom and Dad figure that maybe they got 8 hours of sleep somewhere in that 12 hour block. I know, I should be nicer to them, but my tummy continues to wake me up. I do try to go right back to sleep after being burped or doing my tooting exercise, though. That is except for at 5am when I was awake and ready to play, but I did play quietly by myself in my co-sleeper for a bit before going back to sleep again. All in all, it was a good night, and I was a much happier camper today. Anyway, Mommy said I should tell you all that I am about 16 pounds already - she had me weighed at a baby store with my clothes on on Wednesday and it said 16 pounds 7 oz. so if you subtract some for the clothes its around 16 even. What can I say, I am a big boy! I love to try to sit by myself, although I usually fall over sideways eventually or I slump forward. I also like to stand and sometimes dance or bounce. Mommy just took out my exersaucer and I have played in it a few times. I am still discovering all the cool toys attached to it and the many sounds it makes. I am about 24 1/2 inches long so I can touch the floor of the exersaucer on my tiptoes. Mommy is also hoping I will get over my stage fright and smile more for the camera but that thing freaks me out! I'm not scared of it, but every time she brings it near me, my eyes get big as saucers and I get very quiet. I simply stare at the camera despite her coaxes to talk or smile. Believe me, though, my smile is something. The few pictures where the sneaky camera did catch me are nothing compared to the live ones, let me tell you. Mom says I am going to be a little heart breaker. Well, I better go get some beauty rest. Peace out y'all.

Growing and Changing

2007-01-21T18:55:00.000-06:00

Look at how big I am getting!

I am getting very good at smiling.

I am a dramatic stretcher.

My drooling and bubble blowing skills are world renowned.

I also love sticking out my tongue but the camera usually misses it.

A New Web Album

2007-01-11T16:11:00.000-06:00

Here is the link to my web album for this month. Remember, my parents are continuously updating the old ones, too, so check those out as well and keep checking this one as the month progresses.

2 Months to 3 Months

Fevers Are No Fun

2007-01-11T14:54:00.000-06:00

Well, after writing you all last night to tell you how wonderfully I did with my first set of vaccinations, my Baby Tylenol wore off and I developed a little fever. It hovered around 100.5 degrees, but luckily, never got past 101. I tried to smile and coo my way through it, but it did make me a bit whiny, clingy, and tired. Mommy & Daddy stripped me down to my diaper and gave me some more Tylenol as instructed by the doctor. I had a somewhat rough night and wanted to feed every hour to hour and a half. It made me feel better. I still had a fever this morning so Mommy checked in with the nurse who said to keep giving the Tylenol and call again tomorrow if it hadn't broken yet. Mommy let me use her as a pillow, and I slept most of the morning. Finally, at about 2pm, I woke up all sweaty and my fever had broken! Yeh! Now I am back to my old self and am having fun playing. Mommy finally put some clothes back on me, and get this, she finally broke down after hearing I was almost 14 pounds yesterday and put me in one of my never-been-worn 3-6 month sleepers. It feels nice to be in clothes that don't ride up in the arms or legs! Mommy is a bit scared, though, because this sleeper fits me almost too well. She thinks there is no way I will stay in this size for very long, either.

I'm a Big Boy! With a Few Owies:(

2007-01-10T14:43:00.000-06:00

I went to see the doctor today for my 2 month check-up. My cool doctor is a UND graduate and originally from Grand Forks, ND. She was suprised at how big I had gotten. And the scale confirmed that I am strong like bull. I weigh just shy of 14 pounds at 13 pounds 14 ounces - that's at the 90th percentile for weight for babies my age! I am also pretty long: 23.5 inches. That's at the 75th percentile for length. Stupid Mommy and Daddy call me Fathead sometimes, but actually, my head is on the small side - only 15 inches in circumference. Mommy says that its my chubby cheeks that make my face look plump. She also thinks that my long body frame and more proportional head (instead of the usual huge heads that most babies have for their bodies) make me look like an older kid instead of a baby.

The not-so-fun part of the visit came when I got my shots. I first knew something was up when the nurse gave me this gooey stuff to drink (Baby Tylenol). I protested at first, but it wasn't that bad. Following that, I had to drink another dropper full of stuff. Again, not so bad. Then the mean doctor poked me 3 times in my thighs! Ow!! I cried mightely at first, but settled down once I was back in Mommy's arms. She says I was a trooper and did great because I haven't been cranky since the shots. We ran errands around town at Walmart, Kohls, and Sears after the check-up. I took some naps in my stroller but when I was up I was pretty happy. I even smiled at a stranger in the check-out line at Kohls. I'm a social butterfly!

But now its nap time. Mommy says I also get more of that grape Tylenol stuff. Its not milk, but I guess I'll humor Mommy and slurp it down again.

Kickin' It on My 2 Month Birthday

2007-01-09T23:06:00.000-06:00

I am 2 months old today! Mom commemorated the event by having a little photo shoot and putting me in my best attire. Check out a few of the best pics below. I am such a big boy, don't you think? I had fun today smiling and cooing which Mom and Dad are still having trouble capturing with the camera. I'm fast like a speed boat. My bubble blowing skills are also growing each day, although Mommy says that my drooling is getting out of control. What does she know. Its just the price you pay for being the best bubble blower around! In sad news, I was a bit torqued off today because my beloved binky has been banished away. Why you ask? Good question. Mommy says its because it has changed my sucking patterns and pracitices and is affecting my feedings. She claims it hurts her more than me to take the paci away. Doubtful. I really love that thing! Oh, paci, how I miss you... In other news, tomorrow I have my 2 month pediatrician visit. Mommy warns me that I might not like it. Something about shots, whatever those are. She muttered something about how if I was so fun today, she couldn't wait to see my reaction tomorrow.

My Nicknames

2006-12-29T14:49:00.000-06:00

My parents seem to call me everything but my given name. This started in utero when they took to calling me Nicky. They promise me that someday they will refer to me more often as Nick or Nicholas. But just to keep you up to speed, here is a list of my other monikers.

Gizmo: My Grandpa H.'s nickname for me so my grandma didn't find out I was a boy when I was in my mommy's tummy
Piggy Smalls: A shout-out to Biggie Smalls, my eating ability, and my size
Fathead: because of my big head
Houdini: because I always wrestle my way out of being swaddled
Burrito Nicky: I look like a burrito when I'm swaddled
Snorter: I snort when I'm upset
Emo: I am very emotional
Drama King: I tend to go emo. very quickly
Baby Bird: I open my mouth and bob my head like a baby bird when I'm hungry
Penguin: affectionately pronounced "Pengin", because I make penguin noises and flap my arms around
Pterodactyl baby: Mom stole this from our friend Phil Melton, she thinks, because I make squeaking noses like a dinosaur
Squeaker: I squeak a lot
Rockstar Nicky: given to me in the hospital because of my spiky dark hair with cool blond highlights
Nicky Bobby: in honor of the Talladega Nights movie character Ricky Bobby
Little Nicky: the original inspiration for calling me Nicky, the Adam Sandler movie "Little Nicky" about the son of the devil. They thought it was funny because I was originally due on Halloween. They also love Adam Sandler movies.